A Brief History of Pencils
It all started with the ancient Egyptians, who used sticks of graphite mixed with clay to mark papyrus. The art of pencil-making evolved over the centuries, with the introduction of wooden casings and graphite cores.
The first mass-produced pencils emerged in Europe during the 19th century, with the development of the pencil factory. It was a time of great innovation, but also a time of great mess.
The Industrial Revolution brought about the mechanization of pencil-making, making it easier and cheaper to produce pencils by the millions. But at what cost? The artisanal craft of pencil-making was all but lost.
Today, we honor the ancient art of pencil-making, with its intricate techniques and rich history. Visit the Pencil Museum to learn more.